Visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (June 20).

Dr. Jaishankar is on a one-day visit to Sri Lanka. This was also his first bilateral visit after being reappointed to the high office following the recent general elections in India.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister had congratulated Dr Jaishanker on the election victory of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and reassured Sri Lanka’s commitment to work together to further strengthen close bilateral relations. He thanked India for the assistance given at recent difficult times after Covid pandemic and the economic crisis.

Minister Jaishankar said the neighbours like Sri Lanka are extremely important to India and there is tremendous goodwill for Sri Lanka in India. He said the Indian government reaffirms the Neighbourhood First Policy and the main purpose of his visit is to underline India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbour and time tested friend.

The Prime Minister and the Indian Minister discussed Indian investments, development projects, connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial cooperation in different spheres.

Dr. Jaishankar also called upon his Sri Lankan counterpart – Minister Ali Sabry as well.

The bilateral discussions at the Foreign Ministry centered on a range of issues of mutual interest including in the areas of economic and development cooperation, cooperation in regional and multilateral fora as well as cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries among others.

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were associated with the Foreign Minister for the bilateral talks.

Following bilateral talks, the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister signed the Guest Book at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Jaishankar also met with several political leaders including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a delegation from the opposition including Opposition leader – Sajith Premadasa as well as a host of Tamil political leaders.